Atlanta police need help to identify a teenager who shot a man in a parking lot during an argument near Greenbriar Mall.
It was all caught on camera and witnesses told police it was a teen known for selling water in the area.
There has been much discussion amongst Atlanta city officials about what they should do about people selling water at intersections. Many call them “water boys.”
Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes spoke with business owners who said the group walks through the parking lot all the time and harasses customers.
Surveillance video shows three water boys walking in the parking lot of Greenbriar Village, a shopping plaza with more than a dozen stores.
The victim can be seen with a bag of food in his hand walking toward his van.
Witnesses said one of the water boys said something to him and they started arguing. The video shows them separate for about a minute before witnesses said the yelling back and forth continued.
RELATED STORIES:
- Mother of teen killed over $10 launches new effort to stop ‘water boys’ in Atlanta
- Atlanta water boys say they don’t want to be lumped with others accused of violent attacks
- Atlanta initiates plan to dry up street side water sales
When the man was about to leave, witnesses said the teenage water boy fired one shot and hit the victim. The man slumped over and stumbled until his passenger helped him in the van, which headed to the hospital.
Fernandes spoke with other water boys about a block away. The group said this shooting was ridiculous and they know it’s going to affect them.
“There’s nothing wrong with selling water – we not doing anything wrong,” said Mekhi Smith.
Smith said selling water on the corner isn’t his first choice as a way to make money, but it has been tough to get a job.
“I’ve been looking for awhile,” he said. “We’re just trying to do it the right way. That’s all. But that right there puts out a bad name for us.”
Police are still working to identify the teenage shooting suspect. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
This browser does not support the video element.